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How Thomas & Friends Helps One Boy With Autism

Posted
by Anna McDonald on

Attendees of WGBY's Buen Provecho event enjoy some time with Thomas

Courtesy WGBY

Thomas & Friends’ blue tank Engine No. 1 traveled to Springfield, MA. this fall when WGBY’S Community Engagement and Education Department hosted Buen Provecho: Do You Have An Appetite To Learn?” With steam puffing and eyes rolling, Thomas charmed his many fans and was a special delight to one little boy with autism. This enthusiastic little guy continued to wave and talk to Thomas -- even waiting patiently while the busy engine took a rest. His mother shared that her son loved Thomas, who had replaced an earlier fascination with Spider Man, a character that proved too aggressive for her child. She said that her son’s therapist even brought Thomas & Friends materials to use as motivation when they worked together. She was deeply appreciative when her son received a special gift of a Thomas & Friends wooden train set to take home with him.Learn more.

WGBY has successfully established Buen Provecho as a bi-monthly event held in a predominately Latino community. At German Gerena Community School, which also houses WGBY’s North End Center for Literacy & Learning, residents and over 15 community organizations unite, learn, share and showcase resources. This resource fair allows WGBY the opportunity to focus on one low-income community in their region and promote WGBY educational resources and broadcasting schedule.